January 13, 2010

I’ve heard this message a lot lately: Be Here Now. It is something I tell myself whenever I feel that I am becoming lost in thought i.e. worry. Right here, now, there is nothing to worry about. If you live each moment as if it is the only moment–and it is–than life flows so much more smoothly.

When we choose to focus on the past, we fail to truly experience the Now. Yes, who we were has helped to make us who we are now, but does dwelling on this make our lives any better now? Most of the time, the answer will be a resounding “NO!” Yes, it is a good idea to take some time to examine your past to see why you have become the way you are, but once you’ve done that soul searching, it’s time to move on–to the Now.

We are given the capability to remember the past for a reason. If it wasn’t necessary, the universe would not have made it possible. Introspection is an important part of our psychology, but some people tend to get caught up in it. They want to examine it over and over. In fact, they like to ‘claim’ it as their own and wear it like a badge of honor. It becomes an issue of ego when people compare their pasts to see whose was the worst!

On the other end of the spectrum are the people who always have their eyes on the horizon. They live in the future. Some of these people are very happy. It keeps them going to see the beauty that can be in the future–even though they take no action towards making it a reality. Others use the future as an excuse to be discontent with the present–the Now. They use the future as an excuse to complain about all the wonderful things they don’t have right now. They fail to see the value in the present.

The really important message I want you to take away from this is to be true to yourself in the Now. Accept what you have. Accept yourself the way you are. Learn to live with things that are less than pleasing. But don’t live with blinders on. If something doesn’t please you, take action steps to change it. Your whole life should not become the action steps.

Meditation is the best way to Be Here Now. Go and take a walk out in nature, and when your thoughts intrude on your solitude–as they invariably will-just breathe: “Be Here Now.”